When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Weldcraft Marine 18 Renegade 2008 and the Weldcraft Marine 186 Maverick DV SD 2012 are deep vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Weldcraft Marine 18 Renegade 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Weldcraft Marine 186 Maverick DV SD 2012 at 20,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 186 Maverick DV SD 2012 tips the scales at 174 lbs — 150 lbs less than the Weldcraft Marine 18 Renegade 2008 at 24 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Weldcraft Marine 186 Maverick DV SD 2012 tops out at 200 hp. Engine specs for the Weldcraft Marine 18 Renegade 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 42 gal and 42 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.